Saturday, April 4

My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won’t grieve over them and be like people who don’t have any hope.

I Thessalonians 4:13 CEV

When I pass by a cemetery, I think of those who are grieving the loss of each person interred there. When I visit the columbarium, I remember those who have chosen niches for loved ones.

I speculate that those who have already died know that we grieve and mourn. It is said that the hardest loss of all is one’s own child. I can testify to that. According to the Apostle Paul, if we believe, we will have hope, and we won’t grieve like people who have no hope.

“Faith, hope, and love—these three . . .” are gifts of God.

When grief and sorrow seem to overwhelm us, may we remember and take hold of these gifts, with a prayer for the will and strength to place our hope in Christ, who will take us to himself when he comes again.

Thank you, dear God, for Jesus who has been raised to life and will raise us to life, according to the scriptures. Let us be encouraged by these words. Amen.

Ginnie Spurr

Good Friday, April 3

So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." Then the people as a whole answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Matthew 27:24-26

The Blame Game

Where there is conflict, there is blame.  The last days of Jesus’ life were filled with conflict and the accompanying finger-pointing. Judas’ betrayal.  The disciples’ abandonment.  Caiaphas’ megalomania.  Pilate’s cowardice.  The mob mentality.  Roman occupation.  Who or what was ultimately to blame for the death of Jesus?  Who truly has blood on their hands?

If we must point fingers, if we must find someone to blame, there is only one who is finally responsible.  And that One is God, creator and ruler of the universe, Alpha and Omega, All-Knowing, All-Powerful.  God set up the rules of the game.  God is the only one with the power to intervene.
 God knows every move every player will make.  God determines the winners and losers.  So only God can take the blame.

And only God can shoulder such an accusation.  God, who created the world in goodness and sustains it by grace.  God, who rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land.  God, who gave up the throne of heaven and took on the frailty and pain of human existence.  God, in the garden – let this cup pass, but Thy will be done.  God, self-forsaken on the cross – Eli, Eli, lema sabach thani?  

Yes, God is responsible.  God is to blame.  God is to blame for the death of Jesus, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.”

Let the blame game come to an end.

Thank you, God, for taking on the weight of this world’s blame, for taking upon yourself our sin.  Help us to turn to you in times of conflict rather than turning on one another so that we might grow in our love for you and our neighbors.  In the name of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.  Amen.

Rev. Amy Morgan

Maundy Thursday, April 2

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me. ’Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

John 13:1-17

The Royalty of Service.

In this passage we have the moving story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus follows the humble and loving act with a command: “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done unto you." (v. 14, 15)

This passage has special meaning to me since I grew up in a denomination that practiced foot washing. But whether we take this command literally or more symbolically, I think we must agree that a powerful statement is made. In the words of William Barclay in The Daily Study Bible Series; “Few incidents in the gospel story so reveal the character of Jesus and so perfectly show his love. When we are tempted to think of our dignity, our prestige, our rights, let us see again the picture of the Son of God, girt with a towel, kneeling at his disciples feet."

Prayer: Loving God, if you call me to an act of service this day, may I do it with the love and humility displayed by your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lois Massanari (1994)

Wednesday, April 1

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. 

Philippians 2:5-8

HUMILITY

As Christians we often speak of humbling ourselves one to the other. Just what are we saying? It is not difficult to put others first, to humble ourselves in so many of our daily pursuits. In fact, we rather enjoy doing this because it makes us feel goad. Humility in this sense benefits both the receiver and the giver. Sometimes we have an opportunity to serve others, to humble ourselves, in a situation which is not an everyday event for us. A chance spent working with youth at a mission site would be an example of our humbling ourselves both to those we serve and those with whom we serve. Once again, we feel good about what we are doing and are rewarded psychologically, even though in these instances we may struggle with physical or emotional stress. Thus, we see humility requires generosity, courage, and sacrifice.

Jesus manifested the ultimate humility in becoming the sacrifice for all mankind's sins. Even though He was God, He humbled Himself as a man and became obedient to death.

How great a sacrifice are we willing to make? Have we the courage to humble ourselves, to yield whatever we must as God's witnesses in the world today?

Dear Lord, thank you for your Son – He who humbled Himself and made the ultimate sacrifice of obedience for our sins. As we continue our journey through the Lenten season, we ask for your help in keeping our focus on Jesus and His life. Give us the courage, the generosity, and the obedience necessary to be witnesses to His resurrection and Your glory. We pray in your humble Son's name. Amen.

Sarah Krug (1994)

Tuesday, March 31

Coventry Cathedral Prayer

Written on a plaque on the altar of the restored Cathedral near Birmingham, England which was bombed during World War II – 1964

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
Father Forgive.

The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,

Father Forgive.

The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,
Father Forgive.

Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,

Father Forgive.

Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,

Father Forgive.

The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,

Father Forgive.

The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
Father Forgive.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

O God, our Father, may we, by Thy Grace, receive forgiveness, and show by our words and actions, Gods love and mercy for all people. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Mary D. Clark (1993)

Be kind to one another

Monday, March 30

... he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.

Isaiah 53:3-5

Alas! And did my Savior bleed, And did my Sovereign die!Would He devote that sacred head For sinners such as I!
Was it for sins that I have done He suffered on the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace Unknown! And love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut its glories in,
When Christ, the great Redeemer, died For human creatures' sin. But drops of love can ne'er repay The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away; Tis all that I can do.

Isaac Watts (1707), The Presbyterian Hymnal, #78

This hymn speaks to me as bearing one of the essential messages of Christianity, in that through whatever forms I choose to worship our Lord this Lenten season, I must involve and offer nothing less than my entire being.

Gracious God, You know me better than I know myself, and still you love me. Help me to understand what I must do with my life, my time, my energy and my talent. When I come to you asking for understanding, grant me the gifts of consideration, gratitude, attention and inspiration. When I am overwhelmed with responsibilities, pressures, and fears of failure, let your presence remind me that you deemed me to be worthy of the life of your own son. Be with me in these journey days, as they are filled with self-examination, penitence, fasting and prayer. Merciful Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Savior, I give myself to you. Tis all that I can do." Amen.

Sue Delpup (1994)

by His bruises we are healed

Sixth Sunday, March 29

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23

He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

 ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:22-34